Manly Tips

November 17, 2009

This is a new series I’d like to launch: short bits on how to appear really manly, even if you talk about Star Trek for a living. Here’s Manly Tip No. 1:

Once every few months, unplug the washing machine. Say nothing. Eventually, someone will notice that the washing machine does not work. Take your toolbox downstairs and remove the front panel of the washing machine (there are two little clips holding it up; you need a putty knife or similar blade to pop them out). Place the front panel off to the side.

Open your toolbox, remove paperback novel. Start reading. This will be interrupted by the occasional check-in from upstairs; when you hear footsteps, stash the book, grab a screwdriver and start adjusting something inside the washer. When the coast is clear, go back to the book.

After about four hours, put the front panel back on, plug the washer in and start a load of laundry. You’ll earn bonus points for that. Just don’t mix whites and colours.